The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-08

"What shall ace do?" asked my COM
panion.
II should like to see the rock galleries, :"
she replied.
So we climbed up endless steps to the
old Moorish castle, where stolid artillery
man took us in charge. He led us through
long passages cut in the solid rock, up
flights and flights of steps, in and out-a
perfect labyrinth honeycombing the face of
the precipice. The path was often rugged
and dark, and 1 took Helen's little hand
in mine to help her along. [ fancied it
trembled.
At last we reached St. Georges Hall
great rock chamber, in which we felt as if
in some vast underground dungeon, until
going to theaperture through which the day
light dimly illuminated its massive vaults,
we suddenly saw stretched before us vast
panorama of sea and sky, and the long
coast-line of Spain, backed by the distant
Ronda Mountains.
"This is like fairy-land," said Helen
drawing long breath.
"You can climb out of this opening, if
the lady isn't afraid" said our guide.
''The rock falls sheer away from the ledge
below, and you look right down a thousand
feet on the neutral ground and North Front.
The people and houses below you look like
toys"
Helen was enchanted with the idea, and
We prepared to get through the aperture.
1 scrambled out first, and then the old
gunner helped Helen up, and there she
stood above me framed in the rude outline
of the rocky opening.
Snow jump 1 cried, holding up my
hands to meet hers. She obeyed, but by
i'll luck her dress caught on projection of
the rock and baked her Instead of land
ing clear, she gave stumble aud almost
fell forward There was nothing but
fringe of ragged bushes between us and the
fearful precipice. l threw my arm round
he waist, and for an instant we swayed to-
gether towards the abyss. She closely
pressed to my side, her cheek almost against
mine. 1t was but second; we recovered
our equilibrium directly, and stood side by
-, down into the depths below us,
n sou Hvpbut that sac-
was enoag 44sVa 1t was too
much. had held her in my arms, and
thousand tumultuous feelings sprang up
within me. i
We climbed back into the Hall. Helen
avoided looking at me, and We retraced our
steps almost in silence, wonder whether
the old soldier noticed the change in our
behavior hardly remember anything of
that walk back, was so overwhelmed by
the discovery that was in love with Judge
RobsOn's wife.
1t was useless trying to deceive myself,
and grimly laughed as made the admis-
sion. le Think ! sensible, -haxa=-
headed man of the world, should I've in so
easily | had embarked in the Irritation
with so light a heart, to while away the
tedium of voyage. And what was the
result? In six days was completely taken
captive. Truly, six days at sea may count
as six weeks or even six months ashore, but
a married woman, too My case was
desperate. Helen was woman that any
man might be proud of loving, were she
free; but she was not-there was the abyss.
These thoughts tore through my brain
as l paced the deck that night alone. For
the first time since our departure, Helen
remained Invisible. l longed, yet dreaded,
to see her again.
A busy demon was whispering in my ear.
He told me that she shared my passion;
that our fate was decided for us whe ther
we would or no. that we had a clear three
weeks before her husband could come to
claim her; he urged me to make the most
Of the time, too short already, which re-
ymained to us. As thought of old Robson
1 ground my teeth and stamped with rage.
To think that I should meet the only
woman who ever had, or ever would, real
ize my ideal, and meet her too late
Judge Robson's wife
Far into the night paced the deck,
prey to this inward conflict; but at last l
won the victory over my worse self, and the
temgtlng demon fed. l made up my
| iipd to leave the ship at Malta, and after
that-Rapppep what would. I could look
no further. Business, friends, everything
else must be sacri6eedd,- Never would l be
the cause of Helen's ruin; the nc hseogght was
Dissertation.
The next morning l came on deck, after
sleepless night, excited and wretcbed,
wishing, yet dreading, the first sight Of
Helen.
The first person saw was Miss Lam
bert, looking, as usual, very trim, pert and
provoking.
"Here We are, all surrounded by the
horrid old sea again, she said. elbow 1
did long to get left behind at Glib. If
could do as l please would not go yard
farther"
"You like Gibraltar" said 1, for the
sake of saying something.
at is better than India, anyhow. am
in no hurry to get there, can tell you. l
had a jolly day on shore. We drove out
to Europa, and on our way back we had
tea at the artillery mess. Butyou don'tlook
as if you had enjoyed it much. Did you
spend your time quarreling2 My cabin
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